Good Energy—Inside and Out

You can feel the energy as you approach the handsome red steel building tucked into a hillside in Hinesburg, Vermont. Out front, 15 tracking photovoltaic panels follow the sun; a wind turbine spins on the hill overlooking the facility; large windows reveal workers going about their business in a bright interior.

One year after its opening, NRG Systems' 46,000-square-foot manufacturing and office building stands as a shining example of how to work lightly on this earth in the 21st century. It represents, simply, the best we can do to conserve, create, renew and recycle natural resources and energy.

"Our goal was to build the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly building possible," says Jan Blittersdorf, NRG Systems president and CEO.

The solar photovoltaic system and wind turbine provide three-fourths of the building's electricity needs. Two home-sized, wood-pellet-fired boilers provide primary heating for the building's radiant floor heating system.

David Blittersdorf, NRG chief technology officer, says with this investment in renewable energy the company has, in effect, prepaid its energy bill.

Put it all together, and NRG's facility uses one-fourth the energy of a conventional building that size. It is one of only four industrial facilities in the world to receive gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

NRG Systems, founded in 1982, manufactures wind measurement equipment for the global wind energy industry. The company has made a serious commitment to renewable energy-and empowering employees.

Enter the building and it's evident there's a good energy flowing among employees. They feel part of this remarkable building, having been consulted from design through construction and finishing touches. Today, the building glows with natural light, and windows open to allow fresh air into the building. At work, employees enjoy sweeping rural views. After all, what's the point of working in Vermont if you're cut off from nature?

NRG's benefits package is as progressive as their green building. They offer several non-traditional benefits, including a clean energy benefit that provides incentives of up to $1,000 for the purchase of solar panels, wood pellet boilers, wind turbines or hybrid cars.

According to Jan, NRG's goal is to manage a company where employees share in its green mission and enjoy coming to work.

It's working. As one employee puts it, "When I come in here, I feel like I am coming home."

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